An inspiring conference with a special touch. This is what characterised the Preventive Health Conference on 23 November in Royal Jaarbeurs . This day was entirely dedicated to care and inclusion, in the broadest sense of the word. Indeed, besides covering an exciting and important care theme, the Jaarbeurs hospitality team was reinforced by a group of young people with disabilities from Academy Spelderholt. This work experience further boosts the independence and self-confidence of these young people.
This was the talking point of a special conference organised by the Institute 4 Preventive Health of the Alliance of Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and Utrecht University Medical Centre.
Overweight and obesity is a problem that will only decrease if we work on prevention in several places at once: from micro to macro environments. Experts from multiple disciplines therefore need to work together. But how? 150 professionals from different disciplines came together to reflect on this issue together.
At Jaarbeurs, we think it is important we give this kind of theme the space it deserves. In addition, we choose to increase our social impact and do business in a socially responsible way. We do this, for example, by offering a place to social enterprises. With this in mind, we were able to make the day even more special by collaborating with Academy Spelderholt.
Quentin, Academy Spelderholt student: "I really enjoyed showing what I can do and making people happy"
Academy Spelderholt is a place where young people with disabilities learn, live and work. In a four-year development programme, the young people work on independence and self-confidence. Together with the conference organisers, we were able to invite a number of students with disabilities to join our hospitality team that day.
"The cooperation with the Jaarbeurs went extremely well before, during and after the conference. Very nice that the students of Spelderholt took care of the catering together with the Jaarbeurs staff. This way, the students got the experience they need to get to know the hospitality profession from even more sides, and the conference visitors saw what a fantastic contribution the students from Spelderholt can make. We have received enormous compliments on this," Martine van der Mast, Programme Director Institute 4 Preventive Health, Alliance of Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and Utrecht University Medical Centre, told me.
Fleur van den Berg, Account Manager Jaarbeurs: "After a fine cooperation, a very nice conference was put together in a few months. But best of all was the smile that came on the faces of both the congress guests and our own staff, seeing the enthusiasm of the students from Spelderholt while working in catering that day! We saw this day as a pilot and I hope we can enthuse more organisers for this kind of special collaboration."
Students, Academy and organisation of the Institute 4 Preventive Health, of the Alliance of Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and Utrecht University Medical Centre: many thanks! We look back on a successful day with valuable knowledge transfer and an extra special touch!
Fleur van den Berg - Account manager conferences
"Would you like to know more about our collaboration with Academy Spelderholt and how you can also give it a place during your event? I'd love to tell you about it! Get in touch atjaarbeurs or +31(0)30 295 58 81 or fill in our contact form."
